Faith, Not Hope

The first definition that came up for HOPE was: thefeelingthatwhatiswantedcanbehadorthateventswillturnoutforthebest.

The first example it gave was: togiveuphope.

Funny, because that is what I’m writing about today.

You see, I’ve given up hope.

I’ve given up hope that our nation will be fine.

I’ve given up hope that our citizens will be okay.

I’ve given up hope that the people in charge will do the right thing.

I no longer have hope because so much of hope is based on what other people do.

I prefer not to go there.

Don’t worry–I’m not giving up hope so I can bury myself in the sand and forget about life.

No, I prefer to focus on what I can do.

Me. One person. One miniscule dot in the universe.

I’m not burying myself in the sand because I do not expect anyone to shovel me out.

That’s my job.

And my shovel’s name is FAITH.

You’re probably wondering, what’s the difference between hope and faith?

Well, let’s go to the dictionary.

According to the first definition that I looked up, FAITH is: allegiance to duty or a person; loyalty; fidelity to one’s promises; sincerity of intentions.

You see, it’s very different from hope.

Do I believe in allegiance to duty? And loyalty? And fidelity to one’s promises? And sincerity of intentions?

Yes. Yes. Yes. And YES.

I have faith.

I have faith that I am always doing my best, whether on horrible, terrible days, and on delightful, beautiful days.

I have faith in the universe, and in all that I can see and hear, and all that I cannot see and hear.

I have allegiance to myself, loyalty to those I love and respect, fidelity to my promises, and sincerity of intentions.

I have faith.

And it’s not because I believe in God. Because I do. But, I don’t equate faith with my belief in God.

I don’t label God. I don’t purport to articulate or understand what God is doing to us or not doing to us, or if God wants me to do this or does not want me to do that. Faith, for me, is not about God.

There are a lot of things that I don’t know, but what I do know is that someday, my time on this earth will come to an end. No one can argue against that–not even people who believe they have a direct phone line to God. But until that fateful day comes, I will read, write, think, dream, ponder, act, love, and live.